Criminal Justice

Domestic Violence is a Public Safety Issue

It not only affects those that are abused, but also has a substantial and tragic effect on family members, friends, co-workers, children, and other witnesses. Domestic violence is not a private matter – it adversely affects communities.

Law enforcement officers often represent the first line of intervention for victims of domestic violence and their families. The overall goal of law enforcement is to enforce the law, which extends to stopping the act of violence that is in progress, ensuring the safety of the victim and others affected by the violence, and arresting the offender. Because of their close involvement with victims and offenders, officers are one of the key components of the coordinated community response against domestic violence and a critical element in keeping victims safe and holding abusers accountable.

Collaborative Partnership

The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition has had collaborative partnership with Utah law enforcement and the criminal justice system in the fight against domestic violence. Some ways in which we have worked together include:

Partnered with the Board of Pardons to provide a training on the dynamics of domestic violence and providing a victim centered approach.

Partnered with the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide domestic violence dynamics training to District Court Judges and the Utah Supreme Court Judges. The training session was recorded to provide judges an opportunity to participate via a webinar.

Collaborated with several local coalitions and law enforcement agencies to provide training to law enforcement, judges, and or commissioners in Cache, Carbon, Davis, Grand, Tooele, and Uintah Counties on topics such as Stalking, Domestic Violence Dynamics, and Risks, Benefits, and Solutions of Technology within Intimate Partner Violence.

UDVC provides scholarships to law enforcement agencies to attend the 3 day Domestic Violence Live Basic Training.